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Pricci's Free Daily Feature Race Analysis

Whenever his daily work schedule permits, HorseRaceInsider executive editor John Pricci will analyze that day's feature race from a major thoroughbred-racing jurisdiction.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Take the Hot Jock in Rider’s Race

Today’s Gulfstream Park feature is a preliminary allowances for 3-year-old fillies going 1-1/16th miles. Given that it’s a six horse field and the finish line is up the stretch for the standard finish line, this will turn into one of those “rider’s races;” always dangerous.

So in addition to one of the fastest fillies in the group on the Equiform scale, comes off a willing and troubled third in her Gulfstream debut and picks up a rider pushing all the right buttons of late, Julien Leparoux.

Goldrush Girl (3-1), half of the Ken McPeek uncoupled entry, looks like she has the best chance in this group as her line looks explosive as she’s poised to move forward to a career best effort. Today’s stretchout back to a two-turn trip suits perfectly.

Taking Goldrush Girl to win at 5-2 or greater and key boxing her with Awesome Girl (4-1) and Woodford Lady, the other McPeek filly exiting a race that produced two next out winners.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Shippers Rule the Day as Big A Main Track Reopens

In recognition of the return to main track racing at Aqueduct--and before the animal rights groups put padlocks on the entrances (does that also include the casino?)—we’re analyzing today’s feature, the Lynclar for older fillies and mares sprinting six furlongs.

To say this race is open might be understating the case; each member of the seven horse field has a legitimate chance to win this. We’re opting for ship-in Strike The Moon (5-1) for several reasons.

First, if you take a look at recent company lines, you’ll see names like Pomeroys Pistol, Belle of the Hall and R Holiday Mood, a pretty salty group of female speedsters that were last seen in action at Gulfstream Park. Further, her internal figure for this distance when narrowly beaten in a similar spot two back is more than good enough to win this.

Surrounding that effort came two Grade 3 sprints now she tries overnight stakes company for a barn that’s batting 21% at the current meet and is 22% lifetime with its shippers. Regular rider Julien Pimentel reunites with the 4-year-old filly who’s 1-for-1 on this surface.

Taking Strike The Moon to win at 7-2 or greater and key boxing her in multiples with sharp horse for course Isn’t She Grand (10-1), and fast-working shippers Aquitania (7-2) and My Sunshine Gal (12-1).

Sunday, March 18, 2012

La Reine Lionne? Oui, madame et monsieur

Today’s Gulfstream Park featured 10th race, the Grade 2 Honey Fox, is a beauty, so much so, in fact, that it will be a very difficult call. The question is: How good is early line favorite Future Generation (3-1).

She won her U.S. debut more cleverly that the running line suggests, earning an excellent Equiform performance figure, but today’s race is a different animal; much tougher and deeper. However, if she’s legitimately G2 material, she will be a tough out.

Instead, we will take any value available with La Reine Lionne (5-1). Trying to improve her lifetime course record to 3-for-4 last out, she was beaten a nose in the G3 Marshua’s River.

Now she returns with ideal spacing and makes the mini-turnback to a mile, a distance at which she’s 3-for-3. Chad Brown is white hot at the moment; she owns tactical speed and kick, and someone who knows when to push the button in Johnny Velazquez.

We’ll take La Reine Lionne to win at 7-2 or greater and key boxing her in multiples with well-meant mile specialist Romacaca, the aforementioned Future Generation and the returning Bay To Bay (6-1) who could upset the group if set for best in her return.